Arthur Hubbard Sr., a Navajo Code Talker who was the first American Indian to serve in the Arizona Senate, died on Friday. He was 106.

Hubbard, who was born in 1912, fought in World War II. He trained hundreds of men how to use the Navajo language to transmit unbreakable codes.

In 1972, Hubbard was elected to the state Senate. He served there for 12 years.

“Our Nation and Diné Citizens were truly blessed to have had such a highly respected and distinguished warrior on our side that fought for our Nation, both as a Navajo Code Talker and as a state leader,” Navajo Nation Council Speaker Johnny Naize said in a press release. “We will always honor and cherish his sacrifices to make our Nation stronger.”